Skip to main content
Tim H 98
Tim H 98
Participant
March 10, 2022
Answered

Acrobat Pro DC and Acrobat Reader DC Installation

  • March 10, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 5149 views

I installed Acrobat Pro DC on my new Windows 11 PC. I was expecting that Acrobat Reader DC would also install since that's what happened on my older PC. I don't have an option in my online account to install Acrobat Reader DC even though it's included in my plan. When I download Acrobat Reader DC from the general Adobe site and try to install, it returns a message that another version of Acrobat is already installed and quites the installation. I'd appreciate any assistance. I'd like to have Acrobat Reader DC on my PC too since I need to test how forms I create behave for Acrobat Reader DC users.

    Correct answer Karl Heinz Kremer

    You do not need Reader if you have Adobe Acrobat installed. That's why the installer says you already have a (more powerful) version installed. For testing purposes, I have a virtual mahien that just has Reader. This way, I can use both applications, without them getting in the way of each other. In the past, Adobe allowed both applications to co-exist as long as they both were the of the same version, but that is no longer the case. 

    2 replies

    Sonion
    Sonion
    Participant
    April 26, 2022

    I'm a home user on Windows 11 and have Adobe Acrobat PRO. My wife and I both share the same desktop computer and use Acrobat to digitally sign documents. In order for this to work, we have our own Adobe IDs and in the past I used to sign in to my PRO and she signed in on the Reader. But now since I can't install both, I've been forced to install the older Reader 11 to use for my wife to sign documents, but the signature can only be stored locally because Reader 11 doesn't support Adobe ID sign in. She can't digitally sign documents with my PRO version because, of course, her ID doesn't have the PRO license and it forces the application to close. I'm furious about this and considering switching to an alternate PDF program

      Karl Heinz Kremer
      Community Expert
      Karl Heinz KremerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      March 10, 2022

      You do not need Reader if you have Adobe Acrobat installed. That's why the installer says you already have a (more powerful) version installed. For testing purposes, I have a virtual mahien that just has Reader. This way, I can use both applications, without them getting in the way of each other. In the past, Adobe allowed both applications to co-exist as long as they both were the of the same version, but that is no longer the case. 

      N
      niccijane
      Participant
      October 7, 2024

      Actually, I am in the same situation only I do not want to pay for normal adobe pro, which is not in my plan (photoshop and lightroom current.  I need reader to complete some assignments and don't want to have to subscribe to a plan for 12 months (when I only require it for 6).  This is annoying.

      T
      Community Manager
      Tariq AhmadCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      February 28, 2025

      Hi, 

       

      Sorry for the delayed response. If you don't want to use the Acrobat Pro paid subscription you can try using Adobe Reader freeware app: https://adobe.ly/3QH1vD7;

       

      Let us know if you have further questions.


      ~Tariq

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices